This ultimate guide is filled with specific decoration ideas, thoughts on food, D&D activities for the party beyond playing a game, D&D party favors, and budget friendly D&D birthday party ideas.

You’re Invited! D&D Birthday Party Invitations

To throw the ultimate Dungeons and Dragons birthday party, why not start right at the beginning with D&D invitations? There are several ways you can make physical or digital invitations that will have your guests excited to come.

Physical Invitations

The most straightforward physical D&D invitations I’ve found might be ones you can fill in yourself by hand. If you don’t want to fill them all out, though, or plan to send out a lot of invitations, you could always make color photocopies of them. Alternatively, you could make a design through a program like Canva and then print those out on a nice cardstock.  

If you’re not sure what to design or print out, several designers have already made Canva templates that you can upload and edit as needed.

• Adventurers Wanted 
• Attention Adventurer 
• Game On

The nice thing about the digital Canva templates is that they could be used as digital D&D birthday party invitations, too. 

Digital Invitations

If you have everyone’s email address or have created a digital page for your D&D birthday party, making an image with the Canva templates suggested in the Physical Invitations section is a great choice. 

Some people like invitations more catered to the physical space, though. In that case, uploading a design into an evite might be the way to go. If you don’t want to build your own, you can also use a dragon template or a treasure map template for a thematic digital D&D invitation.

Decorations: Setting the Atmosphere for your D&D Birthday Party

You can make a general D&D birthday party vibe or if the birthday person is part of an existing game, you can make the atmosphere in the setting of their current game if you know it.

Although standard Dungeons and Dragons party decorations are great, it can be more fun to transport the party into the world of Dungeons and Dragons rather than simply addressing the game thematically.

What is a D&D Atmosphere?

If you’re not familiar with Dungeons and Dragons as the party host, you can reference materials on the Forgotten Realms. You can also check out our Pinterest board below for a visual feel of what makes a D&D atmosphere.

Basically a D&D atmosphere is a sort of medieval magical aesthetic. If you’re familiar with Lord of the Rings, Dungeons and Dragons was based off of famous fantasy books like that, so that can give you a feeling too.

To set the atmosphere then for a D&D birthday party, you’ll want items that create the aesthetic of a medieval city or forest paired with magical elements. 

Items to Set the Vibe for your D&D Birthday Party

If you choose to go the atmospheric route, there are loads of affordable items that can really create the essence of being in a D&D game.

• Tavern table cover
• Decorative lanterns
• Medieval plates and cups 
• Gold goblets

If, however, the birthday person really enjoys the straightforward D&D look and doesn’t want any question about the theme of the party, there are some great options for D&D party decorations.

• General D&D party decorations
• D&D balloons
• D&D class coasters
• More D&D class coasters
• Black and white D&D cake topper
• Color D&D cake topper 
• D&D cupcake toppers
• Miniatures for decorations or cake toppers

Whichever way you go for the D&D birthday party decorations, make sure to keep reading for tips on how to make other parts of the party thematic and budget friendly. 

A Heroes’ Feast: Dungeons and Dragons Party Food

Just like the decorations, the food for a Dungeons and Dragons themed party can be more thematic to a sort of fantasy setting rather than being focused on literal D&D items. But food that focuses on D&D items and creatures like dice, dragons, potions, and more can be very fun, too! Consider both options below or even a mix and match of the two.

Lore-Based Food

One very straightforward way to have that vibe is to check out the book Heroes’ Feast. It’s a cookbook specifically designed for Dungeons and Dragons lore where the recipes are organized according to races. 

The creators of the Heroes’ Feast cookbook also made the Deck of Many Morsels which could be fun to “randomize” your food choices for the party and could go along with the party activities suggested later in this post.

If you want to focus your time on other elements of the party instead of trying new recipes, you could also make a straightforward “rations” or “tavern” plate in the form of charcuterie boards. Basically any plate of cured meats, cheeses, and breads or crackers can be very thematic. A hearty stew might also be a good option depending on the season. 

Thematic Dungeons and Dragons Food

Sometimes it’s really fun to have snacks that make guests say, “That’s so clever!” Kids often really like seeing their favorite foods dressed up in a new way, too. For a birthday party with thematically fun D&D food, consider some of these options:

• Label glass bottles with colorful beverages as “potions.”
• Put out various berries and call them “Good berries.”
• Use D&D miniatures as cake or cupcake toppers.
• Make some dice shaped cookies.
• Cut some cheese into polyhedral dice shapes. 
• Offer some thematically-wrapped jerky. 
• Bugles can be labeled as “dragon claws.”

A lot of these options make for a great budget-friend D&D birthday party, too. For more tips on considering the budget, check out the end of this guide.

Party Activities for D&D Themed Birthdays

You might not have the time or resources to run an actual D&D game at the party, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do! Here are some ideas for activities for a great Dungeons and Dragons birthday party.

Character Photo Booth

If you’re already creating a D&D atmosphere, then you could create a spot designated for photographs complete with costumes for a fun photo booth! Set up a tripod so party goers can use their own phones. It might be fun to have a list of common photo filter options through commonly used apps like Snapchat. 

Then have different weapons and gear for people to pose with.  You can set up a thematic background with a tavern-like tapestry or even use a premade head cutout background. 

This is also an activity you can let guests know about ahead of time so that they can bring their own costumes if they have any.

D&D Streaming

Streaming either a video or a Twitch channel would be a particularly great activity for a D&D birthday party sleepover. Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves would be a good choice. Depending on the age group, a Critical Role one shot or episode might also be fun. Although it’s not a one shot, my personal favorite episode that works as a stand alone is from Campaign 2, Episode 45.

Roll for Snacks

Ever heard of the popular online show Roll for Sandwich? If not, the creator makes lists of common (and not so common) sandwich items that can be chosen at random with polyhedral dice and eats whatever he comes up with. It’s a pretty hilarious premise and one that could make a great activity at a D&D birthday party.

Your “Roll for Snacks” activity doesn’t have to stick to sandwiches either. Lots of TikTok accounts have had spin off ideas that you could look into like “Roll for Pizza.” Or you could make it more in line with a birthday by doing dessert themed ones. “Roll for Cookie” could include different flavors of pre-packaged cookies that have different decorative toppings like frostings and sprinkles (or something hilarious like mustard!), or you could do a similar idea with “Roll for Cupcake.”

D&D Birthday One Shots

So if the birthday person loves D&D so much that they want a D&D birthday party, then they probably do want to play some Dungeons and Dragons if possible. A birthday themed D&D one shot, or single game session, would be a great fit for the birthday person and a few guests who have a couple of hours. Fortunately, DM’s Guild has a few well-rated and affordable D&D birthday themed one shots that would work well for a party.

Level 1

An Ogre and His Cake

A Feywild Birthday

Level 3

The Wishing Cake

When the Candles Go Out

Adjustable levels 1-5

Cupcakes of Doom

These D&D birthday themed one shots cater to a variety of levels, player ages, and types of birthday themes from silly to scary. Make sure to read each description carefully before choosing one so you have the best one shot for your D&D birthday party. 

D&D Party Favors

It’s fun to give guests a little token to remember the party by, and it’s especially fun when the items are unique, thoughtful, and a reminder of the D&D birthday party in particular.

To find good D&D party favors, you’ll want items that are small, come in bulk, and are relevant to D&D players. That can include things like pens and pencils, candy, stickers, and even temporary tattoos! 

After careful thinking and consideration, here are a list of items I’d recommend to make a great D&D party favor bag: 

• D&D pencils that either have thematic phrases or refer to different classes
• Sword pens
• Sour candy D&D collectible tin
• You could buy a bulk set of dice and put one set in each bag
• D&D stickers
• D&D temporary tattoos
• Party favor dragon boxes

All of these items, including the boxes themselves, meet the criteria of coming in bulk, having a D&D birthday party theme, and have use beyond the party. Guests can use the pens and pencils anywhere, they can stick the stickers to whatever they’d like

D&D Birthdays on a Budget

Frequently it feels as if Dungeons and Dragons is an expensive hobby, but it doesn’t have to be. That also means that a Dungeons and Dragons birthday party also doesn’t have to be expensive! These tips will help make your ultimate Dungeons and Dragons birthday party affordable and clever.

Make standard birthday party items thematic

Did you notice how in the food section I noted that you can make colored sodas into potions? You can do this with basically everything at your Dungeons and Dragons birthday party.  Remember, a D&D birthday party is often more fun if the environment is immersive to the world, and there are plenty of ways to create an immersive world on a budget.

For example, thrift stores and garage sales are great places to find offbeat items that seem fantasy-esque. Mugs, cups, goblets, and tea sets are all great thrift store finds while being thematically relevant to a D&D birthday party. They’re also a great place to find “costumes” for a photo booth if you’re interested in pursuing that idea. Look for items that might match a particular class like jewelry that could be a talisman for a Cleric or big books that might double as a spell tome for a Wizard.

If you would like to be a little more “on the nose” in terms of the Dungeons and Dragons theme, perhaps for a younger child’s birthday party, there are definitely fun ways to do that on a budget, too. Labeling common snacks as thematic can go a long way including:

• Bugles could be “dragon claws” 
• Jelly beans as “dragon eggs”
• Wrapped silverware as “weapon packs”
• Gold wrapped chocolates as “gold pieces”

See our Pinterest board for these ideas and more.

If you want to give out party favors, you could give out “first character” bags that include things like standard pencils, notebooks, and printed character sheets, which are all things that a first time D&D player would need but are also common items that could be found in a drug store or a dollar store. 

Repurpose Existing D&D Items

If your D&D player already has an extensive collection of D&D items, frequently you’d rather save the money to buy them more D&D gifts. If that’s the case, then perhaps they would be alright with repurposing their existing D&D collection for the party, or you could borrow items from D&D playing friends. 

For example, you could use common D&D items like dice as centerpieces in bowls or miniatures for place settings. Some people like to use miniatures for cake toppers, too, although make sure the owner of the miniatures are okay with getting frosting on them first!

Have Fun!

This ultimate guide to throwing a Dungeons and Dragons birthday party covers everything from the invitations to come to the party favors when leaving. You should be all set to have a great D&D birthday party. And if you’re looking for a gift to give at a Dungeons and Dragons birthday party, check out our gift ideas for D&D players and Dungeon Masters.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Throwing a Dungeons and Dragons Birthday Party appeared first on Cats and Dice.

What makes a D&D heist different from regular D&D?

Before we talk about creating and running a Dungeons and Dragons heist, let’s talk about what a D&D heist is and isn’t and how it differs from running a standard D&D dungeon crawl.

What is a D&D Heist?

A heist is a robbery that typically involves a plan, teamwork, and often some daring elements. The target of a heist is usually something valuable, like money, jewels, or art. In Dungeons and Dragons, heists can also include magical items or lore specific artifacts. Heists can be exciting and suspenseful because they involve risk and clever planning. 

It’s important to note that D&D heists are not the same as more traditional D&D gameplay formats, though, primarily dungeon crawls.

D&D Heists versus Dungeon Crawls

This element of planning, or prior knowledge, is a key part of what makes a D&D heist different from a dungeon crawl. In a dungeon crawl, players are exploring the area for the first time with little to no prior knowledge. They don’t necessarily have a goal in mind or their goal doesn’t necessarily require finesse to solve. Although on a meta level players probably know that there are valuable items within any dungeon, a heist involves a specific and known item that the player characters, or PCs, must retrieve but will be difficult to do so.

D&D heists generally require a different skill set from the players than dungeon crawls. While dungeon crawls often involve strong fighting abilities, interactions with NPCs in heists often involve Charisma checks such as Persuasion or Deception. Stealth and Sleight of Hand are often required, too. Heists normally require these skills with non-playable characters, or NPCs, instead of fighting for three reasons:

• It may hurt the mission rather than help to kill an encountered NPC
• The NPC might be helpful towards the heist
• The NPC might be part of the heist in some way

With this basic understanding of a D&D heist laid out, it’s time to outline and build out the elements of a D&D heist to run one for your players or to plan out your heist as a player.

The Elements of a D&D Heist

D&D heists involve six basic elements:

1. The Target
2. The Setting
3. The Crew
4. The Plan
5. The Execution
6. The Escape

Let’s dig into each of these step by step.

#1 The Target

The target, which can also be thought of as the object, is the item to be taken during the heist. The most important consideration when choosing a target object for the players to steal is determining why it’s important. It can be as simple as an NPC hiring the players to steal the object or as vital as being part of a larger campaign.

No matter why the players are stealing the target object, the object should be considered valuable enough by someone to be worth protecting. The greater known value of the object, the more heavily protected the item would be. 

Alternatively, consider the option that the heist will involve leaving an object behind rather than taking one. This can include magical objects that will let players spy on someone, dummy objects in place of the real item, or false documents to frame an NPC.

#2 The Setting

Because the protection of the target object is just as important as the target itself, the setting is an important part of running any D&D heist. Players will often want to scope out the area beforehand in order to create The Plan, which we’ll talk about more in Step 4.

Make sure to have a strong layout of your heist location and, more importantly, a strong understanding of what the players can actually learn before the actual heist. For example, if they scope out the location at a particular time of day, make sure the comings and goings of NPCs match that time of day. This is where it’s important to consider the object in question. A more known valuable item might be protected by a museum, which will have a very different set of protections than a lesser known item protected by an eccentric billionaire in their mansion.

Additionally, if the player characters want to buy items to assist them with the heist, make sure the items would conceivably be available at their location. Don’t block them from buying glass cutters just because that’ll make it easier for them, but perhaps they could be marked up or considered suspicious if they’re in a large city. 

#3 The Crew

The crew will certainly involve your player characters, but it may involve NPCs as well. As a general rule, it’s better to not include NPCs in the actual heist crew unless your players specifically ask an NPC to be involved. They might do this because an NPC has a skill set they can use, such as lockpicking or prior knowledge about the setting. They might also invite an NPC just because they like them. No matter what, it’s not a problem for players to invite NPCs, but it’s important to keep in mind that the heist is for the players and to let the players take charge of the situation.

Then, as a DM, you will want to take special consideration for your player’s capabilities. For example, if any of your players’ characters are capable of flying or casting the Fly spell, then they’ll be able to retrieve a suspended item or bypass floor traps pretty easily. Sometimes it’s good to include things that make the players feel accomplished, but make sure to also include things that are actual traps for them, too.

This is especially important when it comes to locks. Heists are full of locks, and because of that, it is wise to always prepare for multiple ways that players can bypass any lock such as breaking down doors or finding another entrance. Not only will this make the game more interesting through variety that speak to different PC skill sets, it will also act as a failsafe in case the players have terrible rolls.

#4 The Plan

The plan for how to execute the heist will largely be up to the players. However, Dungeon Masters can sprinkle in recommendations and information as the players create their plan. For example, if their plan is to use bolt cutters to break through a fence, an NPC merchant could casually mention that the cutters only work for certain kinds of metal, which would prompt the players to investigate the fence in question.

#5 The Execution

Much like the plan, the actual execution of the plan will largely be determined by players and dice rolls. A Dungeon Master might want to have ideas for disaster or aid prepared just in case the players’ plan goes too well or too horribly, though. If everything is running too smoothly for it to be entertaining, perhaps an unexpected NPC shows up at an inopportune time or a magical security system was installed against the players’ knowledge. The general rule of thumb is that it’s fun if the players are successful but it’s even more fun if it’s challenging, too.

#6 The Escape

Oftentimes in dungeons, once the player characters get in, it’s not too difficult to then get back out as long as they follow routes they know. Heists often will work differently, though, because getting out is usually just as hard or harder than getting in. The escape also includes offloading the item in question. Even if the player characters were tasked with retrieving the item for an NPC, that doesn’t mean there couldn’t be repercussions if they’re seen at the scene of the crime. Even getting the item to the NPC could pose challenges. Or, if the players stole the item for their own purposes, there could be extra repercussions there.

Complications and Mechanics During a D&D Heist

Complications for D&D Heists

No matter how much planning the PCs do or how good their dice rolls are, half the fun of a heist is the things that go wrong in their attempts. As mentioned in Step 5, make sure to plan for these complications to surprise and challenge your players.

Possible complications during your D&D heist could include:

• A dummy item
• A moved item
• A new security system (such as a new guard rotation)
• Another competing thief team (expected or unexpected)
• An unexpected event at the location (natural disaster, explosions, etc.)
• The item is cursed (knowingly or unknowingly)
• A invisible magical barrier that prevents spells

Unique Mechanics for a D&D Heist

Additionally, you can add unique mechanics to your game specifically for the heist. Here are a few good ones and why you might want to add them.

Flashbacks

Calling for a flashback when in a tough spot allows for a balance between planning an actual play rather than separating the heist into two separate chunks. By calling for a flashback, the players can retroactively prepare for a situation before actually tackling it. This requires some improvisation on the DMs part since the players shouldn’t be able to come up with something that automatically works just because it’s clever. However, it can be as simple as setting a high DC for a roll. You can learn more about the flashback mechanic from DM David.

Traps and Puzzles

Although dungeon crawls and other D&D games often feature traps and puzzles, you will want more subtle ones for your D&D heist game. You can use a resource like The Game Master’s Book of Traps, Puzzles, and Dungeons for ideas. There are pre-made traps designed to be disruptive, painful, or even deadly, along with a random generator for traps and puzzles.

Competition

If a target object for a heist is well known or for some reason in high demand in a D&D campaign, it’s very possible that the player characters aren’t the only ones after it. Other NPCs might be after the same item for some reason, either to or against the players’ knowledge. This competition could add an extra layer of needed mechanics to the heist, either through fighting the competitors, Charisma checks against them, and so on.

Time

A unique element of D&D heists can be a time component. Whether the NPC guarding over the object in question is due to return within a half an hour or disabling a magic spell sets off some sort of alarm, it’s not likely that players will be able to get the object in question at their leisure. This can lead to several different mechanic options. Each player can take a turn as if it were combat to slow down time or a literal timer can be set up as the heist goes along.

Where to Get Inspiration for Your D&D Heist

If you’re looking for more inspiration for running D&D heists, there are plenty of other kinds of media you can reference, both tabletop gaming related and otherwise. 

Tabletop RPG Heist Modules

If homebrewing a game isn’t your thing, you can find premade adventures for heists or prebuilt components for them. You can insert the premade adventures into an existing campaign or play them on their own.

• Here’s to Crime: A Guide to Capers and Heists 
• The Villa Heist
• Diamond Heist
• The Harpers’s Heist
• The Heist at Nimressa
• A Spot of Payback
• Handful of Heists

Other Tabletop RPGs

There are lots of tabletop roleplaying games that are well designed for heists already. Either playing these roleplaying games or watching live or recorded streams of them may give you lots of information either for creating a D&D heist or for executing your D&D heist if you’re a player. Some good games include:

• Blades in the Dark
• Honey Heist
• Fiasco
• Dusk City Outlaws
• One Last Job
• According to Plan

Heist Books

Dungeons and Dragons was created as a means to play out your favorite fantasy books, so getting inspiration for your D&D game through books is a great way to go. There are many books out there for fantasy heists, but these will get you started.

• The Lies of Locke Lamora
• Six of Crows
• Nocturna
• The Feather Thief
• Stealing Rembrandts
• Mistborn: The Final Empire

If you’d prefer to enjoy these books as audio books, you can try out an Audible subscription. 

Heist Movies

To visually see how a heist might play out, you can stream some heist movies for ideas for your D&D heist game. 

• Ocean’s Eleven
• The Italian Job
• Den of Thieves
• Inside Man
• The Bank Job
• Hell or High Water
• Inception

Time to Steal!

As you can see, there are great reasons to run a D&D heist for your Dungeons and Dragons campaign and many ways to do it. You now know what a D&D heist is, how it differs from a standard dungeon crawl, the six elements of a D&D heist, and how to complicate your heists. There are plenty of heist games, books, and movies to inspire your D&D heist as well. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to play or run your D&D heist!

The post How to Run a D&D Heist for Players that Love to Steal appeared first on Cats and Dice.

How to do that is a little trickier. It requires the right tools, along with a solid understanding of why you want to play solo D&D. After reading this, you’ll have a good sense of why you want to play D&D by yourself, which will help you with how to play and get you on your way. 

Why Play D&D By Yourself?

There are many reasons you might enjoy playing D&D by yourself. Knowing which one applies to you will help you choose the best way to play solo D&D. 

You Can’t Get a Group Together

This is probably one of the top reasons players want to play solo D&D. Finding people interested in playing D&D is no easy task. Your friends might not be committed, and you might not get along with strangers. This is especially tough if you can’t find anyone to run the game as the Dungeon Master. Plus, managing a D&D schedule for 4-6 people can be tricky, and sometimes you just want to focus on the gameplay. 

Related Post: D&D Scheduling Giving You Trouble? These Tips Will Help.

Freedom of Choice

Having other players to bounce ideas around with can make for a compelling gameplay experience. Sometimes, though, you want to be able to make your own choices and feel like the top hero. That’s a great reason to play solo D&D. If this is why you want to play D&D by yourself, then you’ll have a lot of options. 

Ease into the Rules

When you play D&D by yourself, you’ll become familiar with the structure of a D&D module and how to read it like both a player and a Dungeon Master. You will also become familiar with the skills required of a Dungeon Master like improvisation and narrative description. It goes beyond simply reading a module, too. By actually interacting with it, you’ll understand how to present these options to actual players in a full D&D game. 

If you’re a more experienced player or Dungeon Master, it’s also a great way to test out homebrew monsters and items you’ve made, too.

Whether or not you plan to turn your solo D&D gameplay into a book, you can still have a lot of fun. So how do you do it? Keep reading.

How to Play Solo D&D: The Tools You’ll Need

Playing D&D by yourself costs surprisingly little. It can even be free if you do it right. You’ll need your basic D&D tools of course: a character sheet, some dice, and a writing tool. Then, choosing solo D&D tools is as varied as choosing a D&D module. 

Related Post: How to Play Dungeons and Dragons on a Budget

DM Yourself 

Tom Scutt’s DM Yourself is arguably the best way to play solo Dungeons and Dragons. It allows you to play pretty much any pre-existing D&D module like Lost Mines of Phandelver and Dragon of Icespire Peak. The author does note, though, that although you can manage to play any premade adventure with DM Yourself, the ruleset works best with linear games rather than sandbox games like Curse of Strahd. 

DM Yourself acts as a “solo mode” rulebook so you can play D&D alone. It guides you through important modifications for playing D&D by yourself. This inclludes altering your character, how to skim the module you’re using to avoid spoilers, and running both combat and roleplay by yourself. The whole book is 60 pages, but the sections specifically on running the adventure that you’ll want to reference frequently are about 25 of those pages. It even includes a quick reference in the back so you won’t need to use the book much at all once you’re playing.

It also includes tips on playing with specific, popular modules. If you want to play an already popular D&D game with very few modifications from group play, DM Yourself is a great choice. DM Yourself also works well with one shots like Hops to It!, The Wild Sheep Chase, and A Most Potent Brew. 

Solo Adventurer’s Guide

If you want a more freeform solo adventure for your D&D game and to not be confined to the limits of a pre-made module, Solo Adventurer’s Guide is a great option. With multiple tables in the back of the book to help you make the decisions a Dungeon Master would normally make, you’ll be able to put the fate of your character into the dice rather than relying on a DM. And isn’t D&D all about the dice?

To see a sample of how Solo Adventurer’s Guide works, check out this video. It’s recommended by Guilherme Bento, the creator of the module.

“Free” Versions

There is no free version of DM Yourself specifically. It’s already very affordable, but there are tools that function similarly to DM Yourself that are free.

First is the Solo D&D Guide, where a player takes you through their experience of playing a solo D&D campaign. This guide spends a fair amount of time focusing on character build and the kind of advantages you’d have with certain characters. For example, while using a character proficient in Thieve’s Tools and a good passive perception, you could decide that your character always notices traps and locks.

Next is the DM Emulator. This system largely relies on something called the Oracle System, which is a standard d6 table. Basically, whenever you have a question about something that happens in the game, the system will act like a Magic 8 Ball by giving you a yes, no, or some variation thereupon. There are also d6 tables for NPC interactions and for intervening events.

Solo D&D Books

Alternatively, if you don’t want to learn what is essentially an extra ruleset (which is completely understandable), you can always use a gamebook designed to play D&D as a solo player. Anything made by 5E Solo Gamebooks will make a great choice. These books act sort of like Choose Your Own Adventure books with two major differences. 

First, the choices are a lot more complex (as they should be for D&D). You don’t simply choose what path you want to take. You’ll choose what path you want to take and then roll dice to find out the results of that choice. A negative result can be as minor as losing a few HP to as catastrophic as instant death. Not all of the roles are about your character’s health, though. Roleplay and exploration play a big role in these solo D&D adventure books, too. 

Second, you will still have a character you make running through the adventure rather than making the choices yourself. Again, this is to match the traditional D&D experience as much as possible. 

Solo adventure books, in other words, are a great way to play D&D by yourself without having to think through all the mechanics a DM would have to worry about. The adventures are already set up for you to run. All you need is your character and dice, just like you would for any other D&D game. 

Random Dungeon Builders

Sometimes you might simply want to have a quick and traditional D&D experience but have no one to play with. In that case, you can use a simple dungeon generator and make a short dungeon crawl for yourself. The 5e Random Dungeon Generator made by donjon works really well for this. 

To play solo D&D with a random dungeon generator, simply select a party of one, the level your character is at, and any other parameters that are important to you, then generate it. Read over the general features and then start in the first room and take it from there. This generator even has puzzles and traps for you to solve along the way, and hidden treasure, too. You’ll want to do your best to not read too far ahead when you skip from room to room. This will help you avoid spoilers. Otherwise, it’s pretty easy to run a generated dungeon on your own.

In order to play D&D by yourself with a random dungeon generator, you will need a copy of the Monster Manual to run the encounters. Otherwise, this is the easiest way to enjoy solo D&D with the least amount of new materials.

Choosing Solo D&D Tools

When choosing solo D&D tools, think about your answer as to why you’re playing D&D by yourself. Sometimes this will help you choose what tools to use. For example, if you want to take steps toward becoming a Dungeon Master, then you’ll want to play using DM Yourself. If you want to roll some dice and fight some monsters, then a solo book or a dungeon builder might do the trick. Once you have the tools that feel right to you, playing solo Dungeons and Dragons is as simple as following the ruleset. 

If you’re still unsure of which one is right for you, make sure to read reviews and watch videos for each solo D&D tool you’re interested in. That way, you can get a sense of how the game flows, the common problems players might run into, and most importantly, which one will give you the experience you’re looking for.

Playing D&D for Two

A lot of these options work well for playing D&D with two players, too. Two-player Dungeons and Dragons has a few more options, and there are great creators putting out content to help you with that such as D&D Duet. These come from the standpoint of one player and one DM. 

On the other hand, you might want to have two adventurers but find yourself DM-less. All the tools above make it very possible to play D&D with two players and no Dungeon Master. Solo books oftentimes have rules to adjust for it. Randomized dungeons will let you put in the number of players and levels, too. As for DM Yourself, simply remove the Sidekick ruleset and insert the second player. 

Play Other TTRPGs Solo

While it’s clear that you can play D&D by yourself and have a great time, that may not be what you’re really looking for. It’s possible you’re simply looking for a solo tabletop RPG experience, and it doesn’t have to be specific to D&D. 

If that is the case, it should be noted first that DM Yourself and other resources mentioned earlier can be used to play other tabletop games solo, too. Doing so will allow you to maximize your use out of a single ruleset. 

However, some players might want something that’s not specifically catered to Dungeons and Dragons 5E. Player’s Guide to Solo Roleplay might be a good fit, then. It’s not only a guide for solo play, it recognizes that a lot of solo players have never been a Game Master before and adjusts the style of the guide accordingly. It does prompt you to build an adventure rather than playing a pre-made one, though. 

For premade adventures, there are some great tabletop games designed to be played alone. The Lone Wolf Series, for example, provides a classic fantasy solo RPG experience, and it’s free to play at Project Aon. The first book explains how to get started, and you’ll use the same character as you move between books. You’ll know when to move on to the next one based on how the adventure goes. 

Itch.io

Itch.io is also a great source of many wonderful solo tabletop RPGs of all genres, many of which are free. A few interesting ones include:

• Into the Woods…
• Alone Among the Stars
• The Scribe
• The Mansion Incident
• Of Moon and Leaf
• Pokemon Polyhedral

If you find a great solo tabletop RPG on Itch.io, make sure to share it in the comments for everyone to enjoy!

Finally, it’s worth noting that solo RPGs might not be truly solo. As mentioned earlier, a lot of solo games make good duet games, too. Also, rulesets like How to RPG With Your Cat allow you to play with just you and your pet. This is great because your pet is one of the few players you can always count on! Your cat can also act as a player or as the monster, depending on how you want to play (and maybe even on your cat’s personality). 

Yes, you can absolutely play D&D by yourself. A solo D&D game can allow for great exploration and be personally rewarding. It can also make you a better player and a Dungeon Master if and when you join a full D&D game. In other words, there are a lot of reasons to play D&D by yourself, and we hope you have a lot of fun doing so with these tips!

The post Can You Play D&D By Yourself? Yes! Here’s How to Play Solo Dungeons and Dragons appeared first on Cats and Dice.

Those things can be fun, but board games are even more fun. And why not combine these activities into food-themed board games? It’s a delightful and delicious way to spend a day!

What counts as a food-themed game? It’s simply any board game that has food in any way. 

Food-themed board games are also great because they vary in difficulty, the number of players, and competitiveness. Some are short, while some are long. Some or cooperative while some are competitive. Many of these are also great for families.

What are you waiting for? Check out the best food-themed board games to play with your family while you stay inside and snack.

Food-Themed Board Games

To make it easier to find the best food-themed board games for your interest, scroll down based on the theme.

Sushi Games

Sushi has really taken the world by storm both in and out of restaurants. That includes the board game world, too. These food-themed board games are some of the top-ranked on Board Game Geek.

Sushi Go!

If you love sushi, you’ll love Sushi Go! This quick card game that’s great for families is all about eating a delicious sushi meal. You’ll choose cards that will help you score more points than your opponents. The goals you can complete include:

• Pairing of tempura
• Eating the most maki rolls
• Using chopsticks to grab more food
• Adding wasabi to nigiri for extra flavor

After three rounds, the player with the most points wins! A game only takes 15-30 minutes and is great for all ages. If you need a bigger sushi meal, you can get Sushi Go Party, which includes more decks (along with the original) for a different variety to the game. 

Sushi Roll

Like sushi but prefer dice to cards? Then you need Sushi Roll. This is the dice version of Sushi Go, and just like the card game, you’ll choose from a selection of dice to complete your sushi meal. It makes a great addition to a sushi lover’s board game collection.

Maki Stack

If you love sushi, then you know it’s not that hard to stack up your rolls for a tasty bite. But do you know how hard it is blindfolded? You’ll find out in the dexterity sushi board game Maki Stack! 

Different sushi pieces will need to be balanced just right according to flipped-up cards in order to deliver them to happy customers. But be quick! You don’t want to keep the customer waiting, either. Be the fastest chef to win this 2, 4, or 6-player family food-themed board game. 

Pizza Board Games

Pizza is a staple on board game night, so it makes perfect sense to bring a pizza-themed board game to your table, too.

New York Slice

Ever dreamt of running a pizza shop in New York City? Now’s your chance! 2-6 players will choose from cut slices and then decide whether to eat or sell their slice. 

One player cuts while the others choose and the cutter changes each time. Different kinds of pizza come with different point values and powers, so choose wisely. The pizza fan with the most points at the end wins. 

Pizza Party

This pizza-themed two-player only dice game is great for kids and adults alike. The dice represent different pizza toppings, and you’ll roll them five times or until you match the toppings you need on your pizza card. The first player to complete six slices of pizza wins the game (and a delicious pizza)!

P for Pizza

If you can’t choose between a word game and a food-themed board game, now you won’t have to. P for Pizza is like a faster, cheesier version of Scattegories.

You’ll build your own pizza slice by matching letters to provided categories before anyone else does. Once you do that, you’ll go ahead and put your triangle piece into your slice. You’ll need to match more difficult categories to letters to win, though! You can’t complete a slice with only easy answers. The first person to complete their pizza slice wins. 

Vegetable Board Games

It might not always be fun to eat your vegetables, but it sure can be fun to play with them! Check out these vegetable-themed board games.

Scoville

The name of this game refers to the pepper, yes, but it’s also the name of a town. The town of Scoville loves to eat peppers so, so much, they don’t have any time to grow them. That’s why they hired you!

In this vegetable-themed board game, you’ll plant peppers, cross-breed them for the hottest new pepper, harvest them, and sell them. Become the best pepper-seller in Scoville to win the game. 

Point Salad

While this point-scoring card game may be simple to learn and play, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to win! One side of the cards features six different kinds of vegetables including carrots, peppers, and lettuce. The other side will tell you how to score points. By choosing the best vegetables for your unique point needs, you’ll earn the most points and win the game.

Morels

Foragers know that you can’t just eat any old mushroom that appears in the woods. They also know that morels aren’t any old mushroom. 

This two-player only card game uses two decks, one for daytime and one for nighttime. You will collect mushrooms, cook them up, and sell them for points. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Bohnanza

“To bean or not to bean!” That’s the question this 2-7 player vegetable-themed card game asks. You plant and harvest bean cards to earn coins, but you have to be clever about the order you plant in order to get a bountiful harvest. Different kinds of beans and harvest are worth different coins, and whoever earns the most coins wins. 

Dessert Games

For those who have a serious sweet tooth (including myself), these games make the perfect “dessert” to your gaming night. Finish off your games with a dessert-themed board game. 

Go Nuts for Donuts

Get your donuts, fresh out of the oven! But be careful – if someone goes for the same donut as you, then no one gets it. That’s how Go Nuts for Donuts works. 

You’ll want to collect the most delicious and unique donuts to score as many points as possible. No one gets a donut that more than one person bets on, though. This 2-6 player food-themed board game is a must for anyone with a serious sweet tooth. 

Truffle Shuffle

There’s something so delightful about opening a box of truffles with all your favorite flavors, and that’s what Truffle Shuffle is all about. This quick dessert-themed card game is all about selecting high-scoring sets of truffles to put in your box and sell. The player with the best collection of truffles wins. 

Sundae Split

We all know what a traditional ice cream sundae looks like: three different flavors of ice cream, bananas, and a cherry on top. But unique ice cream sundaes are often more satisfying. That’s what Sundae Split is all about.

Players will get to choose from ingredients to build their ice cream sundae. But if it’s your turn to share the ingredients, you’ll choose last and just have to make the most of what you have! If you can create an ice cream sundae that customers love, you’ll win the game. 

Pie Town

A town all about pies? No need to pinch yourself – you aren’t dreaming! Pie town is a food-themed board game all about running a successful pie-making business. 

Using dice that represent your workers, you’ll need to select the best ingredients, bake amazing pies, and sell them to happy customers. Become the best pie shop in a pie-centered town, and you’ll win the game. 

Restaurants and General Food

Can’t choose just one type of food? Don’t worry – there are great food-themed board games for you, too! Try out these board games about restaurants or all types of food.

Kitchen Rush

If you enjoy the video game Overcooked, then you’ll love Kitchen Rush. This real-time cooperative game is designed to replicate the excitement and stress of a real kitchen. You’ll need to get ingredients, clean dishes, cook food, and serve customers to make money and win the game.

For 1-4 players, Kitchen Rush is played over four rounds, each lasting four minutes. That means you can run a successful restaurant in just 30 minutes with others or as a solo board game.

Foodie Fight

This is a great game for trivia buffs and casual game nights. Foodie Fight is just like Trivial Pursuit for foodies. Categories include Food Stars, which is questions about celebrity chefs, and Dining Out, which is all about restaurants. The first player or team to answer three questions correctly from all six categories wins the game. 

Hasty Baker

In this 2-6 player card game, players race to win a baking competition by collecting the right ingredients for their recipes. You’ll have to watch out, though, because other players can sabotage you! The first player to 5 points wins this family-friendly card game.

Time to Eat!

These are the best food-themed board games that you can buy today. Food-themed board games are a great way to spend a cozy day indoors as you eat your favorite food. 

As you can tell, this list includes games for anywhere from 1-8 players, for families or couples, and even for solo players. Some games are quick while others take some time. All these food-theme board games are definitely fun.

What’s your favorite food to eat while playing food-themed board games?

The post The Best Food-Themed Board Games to Fill Your Heart (and Stomach!) appeared first on Cats and Dice.

Well, not always, anyway. It’s just that since I have a lot of board games, it’s hard for those who aren’t in the hobby to get me a board game I want and don’t have unless I have a list.

We don’t want to count on your board game lover to have a list laid out for you. Besides, getting gifts for board game lovers that aren’t board games feels more personable and clever. That’s what I’m here to help you out with today.

First, let’s start out with a big ol’ list of gifts for board game lovers. Then, if you just can’t decide, we’ll get into some ways you can narrow down what your loved one might enjoy without spoiling the surprise.

Gifts for Board Game Lovers (Besides More Games)

You’ll have loads of options when it comes to finding gifts for board game lovers (besides more games). There are so many options, you can break them down by category! 

First, check out accessories that will pair well with anyone’s favorite board game. Then, find great board game-related apparel and home decor. Finally, peruse some great books and gift cards board game lovers will enjoy.

Game Accessories

Rather than buying a board game lover yet another board game, try some game accessories. Wear and tear means that most board gamers are always on the hunt for more durable or more beautiful game pieces like the ones below. 

Dice Towers

If you’re unfamiliar, dice towers allow you to roll any kind of dice with ease. They’re popular with D&D players but also with board game lovers. Some board games even include dice towers, but they’re usually not high-quality ones. That’s why dice towers make a great gift. Here are some great options:

• Some players may enjoy making their own dice tower with this DIY dice tower kit.
• Nature lovers will enjoy this gorgeous tree dice tower.
• This is a dice tower and storage for a 2-in-1 gift. 
• A foldable dice tower is great for games on the go.
• For Wingspan fans, try this delightful Wingspan dice tower. 

This is just a small list of potential dice towers to give, too. You may simply want to browse dice towers until you find one that seems right for your friend or family member. 

Game Boards and Pieces

While you may not want to gift a board game lover another board game, you may want to gift them a beautiful board or pieces for their favorite game. 

Hand-crafted Catan boards and pieces, for example, are popular among fans of Settlers of Catan. Wingspan, too, has lots of beautiful high-quality components available. 

Check out Strata Strike for a wide variety of beautiful wooden game components for anyone’s favorite game. Use the tags on the left-hand side of their shop to find a particular game. Their options include Azul, Pandemic, Terraforming Mars, and more.

For a less specific gift that’s helpful to any board gamer, give them a laminator and some dry erase markers. That way, gamers can laminate the score sheets to their favorite games and use the markers to score again and again. Metal coins make a great durable option for any game, too.

Organizers

Inside or outside of the box, you can organize your board games in many ways. Board game token trays, for example, hold your pieces easily during gameplay so players don’t have to fish out the piece they need from a plastic baggie. 

A good box organizer, on the other hand, keep your pieces in place when board gamers store their games. That makes set up a lot easier when it’s time to play. Some board gamers don’t even bother with token trays or similar components because a good insert holds the pieces so well. 

Tower Rex sells great board game organizers for a wide variety of games. Some games include Carcassonne, Spirit Island, and Sagrada. Again, this gift works best if you know your board gamer’s favorite games. 

Related Post: Brilliant Board Game Storage Tips for Every Single Game You Own

Apparel

Board gamers and video gamers alike love to wear apparel that shows off their fandom. Fortunately, there’s a lot of clothing out there for them to do this! Apparel for board gamers can mean clothing, jewelry, and other accessories for adults and children alike.

Clothing

If you’ve searched for gifts for board game lovers before and came upon a bunch of D&D clothing, you’re not alone. While some board gamers might also play D&D, this isn’t a D&D gift list! Here are a few awesome shops to find clothing gifts for board game lovers:

• Meeplizer sells loads of great board game t-shirts. I like this cozy game shirt a lot.
• Meeple Merch has a great catalog of board game apparel for specific board games with beautiful minimalist designs. They even sell some unique meeple leggings.
• Getting Dicey Designs has a selection of general board game shirts.
• MeeplesCrossing also has a limited yet great selection.

Do you know a shop that sells great clothing for board game lovers? Let us know in the comments or send an email to hello@catsanddice.com and we may add them to the list!

Jewelry

All kinds of jewelry make great gifts for board game lovers. From earrings to necklaces to cufflinks, you can give jewelry as a stocking stuffer or as a main piece for a special someone.

Meeples go great on earrings. Give the gift of these meeple stud earrings. Or, if your loved one prefers hanging earrings, go with these hanging meeple earrings. Multiple colors are available for each so you can choose your player’s favorite meeple color. 

Board game lovers might prefer meeple necklaces instead, especially if their ears aren’t pierced. This pendant meeple necklace is nice and understated. For something a little more unique and crafted, check out the glass options from Jenefer Ham Glass. For anyone who wears a suit, some meeple cufflinks are a must.

Home Decor

Some avid board gamers dream of having a room in their home dedicated solely to gaming decked out with cozy pillows, plush furniture and pillows, and decked out with a beverage station for all kinds of gaming drinks. Help them make this a reality with these home decor gifts for board game lovers.

Furniture

The crowned jewel of any well-designed board game room, besides the game, is easily the furniture. Good storage is a must, and board gamers take great pride in a good “shelfie.” Furniture items are almost a guaranteed great gift for board gamers.

Tables are often designed just for gamers. A great gaming table will have a colored felt surface so pieces are easy to see and don’t slide around with a cover for the top. It’ll have slightly raised edges so dice stay on the table. Sometimes tables will have built-in coasters and spots for cards and pieces. Almost every great gaming table has a beautiful wood finish and comfortable chairs you can sit in for hours. 

What board game tables meet these specifications? Here are a few great ones:

• Enjoy a board game table with a removable topper.
• Alternatively, get a board game table topper to add to existing tables. 
• A premium dining room board game table will go beautifully in any room. 
• You could buy a custom order table with game pieces embedded.
• For a crafty board gamer, try a board game table plan. 

Affordable and portable tables make great gifts, too. Whether a gamer loves to play on the go or wants a flexible option for their small space, sometimes a multipurpose folding table is the perfect thing.

A board game table is a very generous gift for any board gamer and is sure to guarantee a standing invitation to their home to play some games. 

Decorative Items

To decorate your gamer’s current or future board game room, add in some of these decorative items to go with their furniture.

A game challenge board makes for unique decor while also being functional for gamers. Plus, it’s a great gift when you can personalize both the meeple colors and the wording.

Beam Geeks sell lots of great board game-themed signs and artwork, along with other board game items, so make sure to check them out, too!

Food and Drink

Gamers love to eat and drink while enjoying their games, but they’re also very cautious about a mess. That’s why thematic yet cleanly dishware will make great gifts for board game lovers. 

For some nice game-related mugs, check out MeepleMerch. Don’t forget to get some themed coasters, too. 

Snacking, on the other hand, is best done with dip clip bowls. While different dip foods make great gaming snacks, you don’t want dip spilling all over the pieces! These clips will make sure that doesn’t happen. Plus, it makes snacks more portable for games that require moving around. 

And if your gamer also happens to bake, then some meeple cookie cutters are a must. They might look just like a gingerbread cutout to the untrained eye, but any good gamer would know better. 

Books

Board game lovers tend to also be avid readers. (I know I am!) It’s probably because they spend so much time reading rule books. That’s why books about board games make great gifts for board game lovers, too. 

CATAN: The Official Cookbook

Catan players can take their game night to the next level with this cookbook. Filled with recipes unique to Catan like Over-Knight Oats, Robber’s Discard Delight, and Rocky Road Cookies, this book is sure to lead to great game night treats.

The Player of Games

Part of a fictional series by Iain M. Banks, this book is about Jernau Morat Gurgeh, one of the best game players of all time in a futuristic society known as The Culture. He’s so good, he gets bored, until he’s finally presented with the greatest gaming challenge of all time. But it poses a great risk, too.

The Everything Tabletop Games Book

This book, written by Bebo of Be Bold Games, makes a great coffee table book for any modern board game enthusiast. With guides on choosing games to winning them, this book will make a great gift for boar game lovers.

The Oxford History of Board Games

Many board gamers are also history buffs, especially war gamers. This book on the history of board games is sure to pique the interest of any avid board gamer with interesting tidbits about obscure board games from the past.

GameTek

If the board gamer you know ever asks questions like, “How many times do you have to shuffle a deck of cards in order for it to be truly random?” then GameTek is the book for them. Asking and answering all kinds of strange questions related to gaming and life, this book will entertain and educate for hours.

Playing at the World

Another good book for the history buffs, Playing at the World dives deep into the history of wargaming specifically. It covers well-known games like chess along with lesser-known games in the past and in modern times. 

Your Move: What Board Games Teach Us About Life

What can board games teach us about life? That’s what Your Move aims to answer. A good gift for the philosophical gamer, it’s a nice quick read, too, as the book is really a series of essays paired with beautiful pictures of games. 

Books on Game Design

If you have an avid gamer in your life, odds are good that they’ve at least considered designing a board game themselves. Help them out with a great book (or kit) on game design. Some favorites include:

• Game Design Workshop
• The White Box
• The Board Game Designer’s Guide
• Kobold Guide to Board Game Design
• Building Blocks of Tabletop Game Design: An Encyclopedia of Mechanisms
• Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals

Don’t forget to offer to playtest their game, too! The real gift to give any budding board game designer is your support. 

Related Post: 30+ Books for D&D Players

How to Narrow Down Board Game Gift Ideas

Wow! That’s a lot of gifts for board game lovers. If you’re overwhelmed with the options, never fear. You can ask yourself three simple questions to narrow it down and find the perfect gifts for board game lovers. 

1. Do you know your loved one’s favorite game?

If you know your loved one’s favorite game, then that gives you some options to focus on. If they love Catan, for example, then you can focus on Catan-themed gifts. 

And if you don’t know their favorite game, that still narrows it down! That just means you’ll focus on gifts that are not game-specific, such as books or storage. 

2. What kind of board game gifts do they already have?

This question might take a little investigating to answer but will be worth it. Find out what kind of board game gifts your loved one already has. Then, avoid those so you don’t give them repeat gifts! 

You might know, for example, that your friend or family member has a favorite board game themed shirt. Then, instead of giving them a shirt, maybe give them a mug to go with it. 

3. Do they seem to enjoy obvious board game gifts or do they prefer something more understated?

Related to the second question, note if your friend or family member has a lot of board game related gifts readily out or not. They might love board games, but not love decorating their home with board game items, for example. 

If you’re really stuck, you could also always play it safe and go with a gift card. That way, board game lovers can get themselves a nice gift! Good places to get a gift card include:

• Etsy
• Amazon
• Target
• Barnes and Nobles
• Their Local Friendly Game Store (LFGS)

That narrows it down for you, then! In this case, stick to game accessories, books, or other understated gifts for board game lovers. 

And if you really want to get another board game for your board game lover, you can absolutely do that, too. Again, just make sure to put in some legwork first. See if you can get a list of desired games from your friend or family member. 

If not, see if you can sneak a picture of their board game shelf. Then, ask for recommendations in the comments below or in a board game related group on social media.

The post 50+ Gifts for Board Game Lovers They’ll Really Like (Besides More Games) appeared first on Cats and Dice.

What’s even better than simply cool dice? Cool D&D dice sets that match your character’s class. Flower dice will help your Druid’s plant spells grow stronger. Cleric dice will heal your friends more. And Barbarian dice will hit extra hard while raging. 

While it’s kind of a subjective list, we think these are the coolest D&D dice sets for every character class. Some are right on the nose while others give more of a flavor to the class. Still, they are all incredibly unique, and you’ll want to buy some right away.

Coolest D&D Dice Sets for Every Character

Each character class is listed in alphabetical order. Feel free to simply scroll to your character’s class. You could also check out the coolest D&D dice for every character class to see if you’re inspired to give any gifts.

Barbarian

If you play a barbarian, then strengthen your great axe attacks with these Unakite Gemstone Dice Set with Engraved Great Axe. The stone gives an extra heft to the roll. Plus, when you roll a natural 20 on this unique D&D dice set, you’ll know it when you see the double-axe symbol. 

Bard

While there are many different types of bards and many different ways to play bards, pretty much all bards are musical. That’s why you’ll love to play with these Treble Clef Dice. You’ll see a golden treble clef when you crit with these hypnotic gemstone dice. 

Or, to demonstrate you’re as musically gifted as your character board, try these Music Notation Dice. Some of the dice use musical notes, dynamic notations, rests, and time signatures in place of simple numbers so you know just how jarring your Dissonant Whispers will sound.

Finally, for those who play a more chaotic bard, you might enjoy a little “Bardic Inspiration” to your dice. Instead of a 20 on the d20, you’ll enjoy a nice dose of weed. 

Cleric

Want to boost your healing a bit? Then roll with these Cleric Class Dice. You’ll see a heart with a plus sign when you roll a natural 20. More of a fighting Cleric? Don’t worry – these will deal plenty of damage, too. 

Or, if you’d rather, you can help out your party members later with these Purity White Quartz Dice. After all, poison won’t kill them during the battle… hopefully.

Druid

Druids have lots of options when it comes to the coolest D&D dice sets. Many dice crafters create plant and animal dice alike. These Real Rose Dice are a beautiful addition to your in-game Druidcrafting. Or, pay homage to the powers of Wild Shape and Keyleth from Critical Role with these Goldfish Dice.

Related Post: Cat Dice Bags and Cat Dice for Cat-Loving D&D Players

Fighter

Fighters also have a lot of options for unique D&D dice sets. These metal Weapon Dice come in many different colors and styles for whatever kind of weapon you want to use in-game. Or, if your Fighter has a weapon handcrafted by dwarves, you might enjoy these Dwarven Metal Dice.

If your character is a Gunslinger, the industrial subclass to Fighter, then enjoy some Steampunk dice to get into character.

Monk

The coolest D&D dice sets for monks might be based more on your monastic tradition than anything else. These Ambition Restone Dice have that subjective aesthetic of a monk, whereas these Gauntlet Dice are great d6’s for any monk. If you’re playing in a Widemount campaign as a Cobalt Soul monk, then these gorgeous Lapis Lazuli Gemstone Dice are definitely for you. 

Ranger

With similarities to Druid dice sets, Rangers will have a lot of plant and animal options when it comes to unique D&D dice sets. These Beige Forest dice are great if the forest is your favored terrain. Nothing will get by you on survival checks.

Or, if you take the Beastmaster subclass, enjoy these Bear Foot Print dice for whenever your beast companion attacks. The vibrant green gemstone keeps the nature vibes in line. 

Rogue

Everyone knows that Rogues use daggers for days. Your dice can, too, with these Obsidian Dice with Raised Engraved Daggers. Every roll will feel extra sneaky and extra sharp with these sleek black stone D&D dice for rogues.

Check out these awesome D&D dice recommendations for every character class! #DnD
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Wizard

The type of dice you’ll want to use for your wizard might depend on the school of magic. Fortunately, there are lots of unique D&D dice sets for wizards specifically. 

No matter what school of magic your wizard takes, enjoy rolling these Runic Dice as you cast your spells. You probably want these Engraved Rune Dice for some extra d6’s every time you cast Fireball. 

If you’re specifically playing a Necromancer, you might enjoy these Skull Dice or these Skull Smoke Dice for an extra bit of help from the undead.

Warlock

Any good Warlock knows that their patron is always watching. With these Jar of Eyes Dice, it’ll be impossible to ever forget it. Make sure to do your patron proud by rolling maximum damage with these Eldritch Blast Purple & Green Dice, too. 

Related Post: What You Need to Know About D&D Dice

Sorcerer

No control over your magic? No problem! These Molten Magma Dice are sure to deal lots of damage for your Sorcerer no matter their background. Bring on the heat with these Fire Zircon Glass Dice, too. 

You can also pay homage to your Draconic bloodline with these Dragon Black & Red Dice. It will feel like your acestors are always watching you and giving you strength.

Paladin

There’s no better D&D dice set for Paladins than the Paladin’s Virtue. Speckled with pink glitter and gold flecks, each of your hits will be infused with the pious wrath of your god.

Want a little more heft and might to your rolls? Then check out this Rose Gold White Metal set. Just be sure to warn your Dungeon Master that your character will want a matching set of armor to go with it. 

Bonus Classes: Artificer and Bloodhunter

Bloodhunters are not an official D&D class, and Artificers are just recently on the rise with the release of Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, but they definitely deserve to be mentioned here. Some of the coolest D&D dice sets pair best with these two classes.

For your Artificer, you’ll need a set of these Gears of the Artificer for your rolls. With the hallow design and carved gears on the outside, your dice will be as unique as your Artificer’s creations. Artificers also have that great steampunk aesthetic, so get this Steampunk Dice Set for good measure.

Bloodhunter work with blood magic, so only blood dice will do. (Don’t worry – there’s no real blood involved!) Blood Oath Metal Dice will shimmer nicely under a full moon, and the Blood-Splattered Dice will let your enemies know just what you’re capable of. 

Customizing Your Own D&D Dice Set

If you’ve never found a dice set that seems to uniquely fit you and your D&D character, you could always customize your own.

Don’t worry – I don’t mean making your dice completely from scratch. You can buy a sketch dice set from Mythroll Armory and draw your own designs on dice. If you mess up or want something new, simply take it off with nail polish remover and do it again!

This is a great way to make the coolest D&D dice sets for your character, especially if you enjoy painting miniatures or already enjoy crafty pursuits. Plus, if you’d prefer to use your own paints, you can simply buy a set of blank dice, too.

How to Find Unique D&D Dice Sets for Your Character

Just in case any of the dice on this list don’t seem to fit your character, don’t worry! You can still find the coolest D&D dice sets for your character class. Take these steps to search unique D&D dice sets for you.

1. Write down 5-10 keywords about your character. You can take this information from your character sheet, how you’ve played your game, or words that you or other players would use to describe your character.
2. Think about the kind of dice you’d want in general and your price point. Gemstone dice will cost more but have a lot of beautiful designs and more heft to the roll. Resin dice, though, are more affordable and can have unique designs within the dice.
3. Decide how you want your dice to embody your character. For example, if your character comes from the mountains, maybe you want some stone dice to pay homage to their backstory. 
4. Go to Etsy and search “dice + [your keywords].”
5. Share in the comments what you ended up finding and how you found it!

The best part about D&D dice is you can have as many sets as you want. You can buy some for every character, every class, to celebrate milestones, or just because your current ones keep rolling badly. They also make great gifts for your DM or other players. So go out and buy some new dice today!

What are your favorite unique D&D dice sets for your character’s class? Let us know in the comments, along with where you got them!

The post The Coolest D&D Dice Sets for Every Character Class appeared first on Cats and Dice.

As someone who has over 200 hours played on the digital edition of Wingspan as of 2025, including the European expansion and the Oceania expansion, I hope to give you guidance not only on the best Wingspan strategy tips but also on how to have as much fun with it as I have.

How to Play Wingspan

This article does not cover how to play. Instead, this is a Wingspan strategy guide filled with Wingspan strategies to help you out after your first few playthroughs. For a guide on how to play, check out the video below. Make sure to get your copy of Wingspan before you watch!

The latest edition of Wingspan also includes the “Swift Starter Pack,” complete with unique cards and recommended turns. It is another excellent way to learn how to play Wingspan.

The rulebook is also quite comprehensive and well-organized. Paired with the appendix, you’ll be able to learn how to play Wingspan quite quickly. 

Similarly, you can get the digital edition of Wingspan and learn how to play without needing to find a game group!

Related Post: The Best Solo Board Games You’ll Ever Play

Wingspan Strategy Tips

Now that you know how to play, use these Wingspan strategy tips to learn how to win. It will take a couple more playthroughs to get the hang of each of these. Wingspan also involves a bit of luck, so remember that not every tip will work every time in this Wingspan strategy guide. Still, each tip will go a long way towards helping you win Wingspan. 

Tip #1: Focus on One or Two Habitats to Build an Engine

Wingspan is what is known as an “engine builder” in the board game world. When you build an “engine” in board games, you are essentially making moves that will give you greater resources and/or points. You will start out with very little, and what you choose will get you greater rewards. 

To build a successful engine in Wingspan, you need to start early. You will also want to pair your engine with other tips in this Wingspan strategy guide, so consider the following:

• What bird cards you already have and their activation powers.
• Your bonus cards and what habitat engines will pair well. 
• The end of round bonuses in play.

You also only want to focus on one or two habitats. The Forest is more helpful row early in the game for food, while the Grasslands are most helpful near the end for eggs.

One of the most powerful engine-building strategies, if you can pull it off, is to play birds with one kind of power in a different row. For example, if you can play a lot of birds that get you new cards in the “food” engine, then you almost never will need to take the “Draw Bird Cards” action. You’ll be able to skip a lot of steps and gain “free” turns. 

Another strategy I like to use is to have a Once Between Turns card that helps me in a limited resource. For example, if I don’t have a lot of birds to play in the Grasslands, a bird like a Cuckoo will allow me to play eggs when a different player takes the Lay Eggs action. This strategy can be fickle depending on the exact power as noted in Tip #10, but powers that are triggered by common plays like laying eggs pays off.

Tip #2: Pay Attention to the Bonus Cards

While you do not have to complete the Bonus Card you receive at the beginning of the game (or any Bonus Card you get), it can help you structure your strategy. A Bonus Card you start out with might fit very well into your starting hand. The points you gain might also be the tipping point in the game. 

Consider the percent of cards that can achieve that goal when choosing your starting Bonus Card. Then, counter it against the cards you are dealt and the End of Round Bonuses in play. If one Bonus Card stands out as something you can easily achieve, keep that one. Otherwise, choose the one with the greater percentage of cards that meet that bonus to increase your odds. If a Bonus Card doesn’t list a percentage of cards, then it’s likely that it scores points per card played. This is a great way to sneak in a few extra points.

If you have an opportunity to get extra bonus cards, go for it if it fits into your overall strategy. You don’t lose anything by not completing one, but a lot can be gained.

Tip #3: Don’t Pay Too Much Attention to Bonus Cards

With that said, don’t focus so much on completing your bonus that you ignore strategies that can earn more points, like in the tips that follow. Bonus Cards usually can earn you no more than 7 points in a game where you’ll want to aim for at least 80 points to win. Eggs alone can get you 1 point each, and some bird cards are worth more than 7 points alone. Your attention might be better focused elsewhere. 

This applies to End of Round Bonuses, too, especially early on. If working towards a certain goal would break the rest of your strategy, don’t bother. The point difference between players is not that great, so first versus third place most likely won’t change the end results. 

Remember, these are bonuses. They are intended to extra points, not the main source of points. They’re best used as a way to eliminate decision fatigue in your strategy planning, not as the main focus in your strategy. 

Tip #4: Mix High-Point and Low-Point Birds

You may have noticed in your first few playthroughs that the lower-point birds have stronger powers. These often build well into an engine. Start with these powerful lower-point cards. Then, add a few high-point birds along the way. 

For example, playing birds that get you a lot of food won’t amount to a lot of points in the end. Instead, play that bird early on. Then, use the extra food gained to play an extra bird at the end that has higher points and/or can lay a lot of eggs. 

Sometimes it’s just luck of the draw, so if you don’t get a lot of good engine-building birds early on, you might want to try to get some with the Draw Cards action. Or, you might base your strategy on playing high-point birds that earn bonuses instead. It’s not ideal to plan to play a lot of high-point birds, though, without a strong engine. They tend to cost a lot of food, and if you can’t get a lot of food, you might end up stuck. 

Tip #5: Play Birds That Allow You to Get New Cards

As you might have figured out from the previous Wingspan strategy tip, the more bird cards you can get early on, the more options you will have strategy-wise. But you don’t want to spend too many turns on the Draw Cards action either unless you’ve got a nice engine going there. 

By building an engine that allows you to get new cards, you will have a lot of choices in the long run. In addition to having lots of choices for what to pay that will help with most of the tips on this list, you will have the ability to get rid of cards in helpful ways like tucking. 

Tip #6: Ravens and Crows are Overpowered, So Play Them!

Ravens and crows go a long way towards enacting the previous tips on this list of Wingspan strategy tips. Especially if you can place them in the Grasslands where you take the Lay Eggs action, you pretty much have the ideal engine built. 

That’s because ravens and crows allow you to trade eggs for food or cards. So if you’re gaining eggs in a turn and then using them to gain things you need, you pretty much never need to take any other action other than playing birds. 

Tip #7: Don’t Forget to Trade Food

This one has knocked me down a peg more than once. Don’t forget that you can use any two food in place of one. This helps a lot if a bird power allows you to stockpile one type of food. It’s also a great way to sneak in some extra points by playing any random bird cards you have near the end of the game. Depending on the kind of engine you’ve built, this may be more powerful than taking the Lay Eggs action for your last few turns. 

Remember, unused food and unplayed bird cards do not help you at the end of the game (unless you have a bonus that says otherwise.) The next few Wingspan strategies dig into this a little more. That’s why, though, you’ll want to use as much food as you can during the game. 

And while you’re at it, the resources boxes provided in the game aren’t the best. Give yourself an upgrade with this beautiful resource organizer. 

Tip #8: Lay Eggs, Tuck Cards

Laying eggs and tucking cards, especially in Round 4, can rack up the points very quickly. Each egg and tucked card is worth 1 point each. So if you can get even three eggs in a turn, those extra points can make or break the game.

You can also cache food for 1 point each, but in my personal experience, this power has not consistently yielded as many points as eggs or tucking. It seemingly lacks the consistency of the other two powers. Some cards, however, will allow you to discard one type of food to tuck two cards, for example. If you have a surplus of that food for any reason, this strategy can pay off very quickly.

In other words, be very mindful of what your previously played birds can already do when it comes to gaining resources and how that might interact with any future birds you play.

Tip #9: Pay Attention to Other Players

Your plays can sometimes help other players depending on your bird powers. Keep an eye on the other players to see if the move you want to make will be canceled out by helping someone else more than it helps you.

For example, some bird powers will give every player a berry or an extra card. If another player has desperately been waiting to roll a berry but you do not need one, then don’t activate the bird power. 

Tip #10: Beware Cards that Rely on Luck

Similarly, be careful of playing cards that rely on other players. They’re not necessarily bad, but other players may be wary of taking plays that help you. Pink power cards that indicate the In-Between Turns power activation are unreliable at best for this reason. They are best played as a small part of your larger overall strategy and very early in the game. If a pink card allows you to complete one of your bonuses or gives you eggs or food, it could be worth it. 

Skull cards pose a similar problem. If you can’t get a roll or card you need to gain the power, these cards can be a loss. In other words, treat them like Bonus Cards as discussed in Tip #3. They can add some much-needed points, but basing your strategy off of them will not help you win. 

Tip #11: Wild Nest Birds Work Toward Any Bonus or Goal

Birds with a star in place of a nest can be incredibly powerful. Wild nests can count toward any bonus that involves a nest. These include bonuses that call for “Most eggs in X nest” or “Most birds with eggs in X nest.” They also work towards end of round goals. 

In the base game, a wild nest always acts as another kind of nest for bonus cards. The exception is in the Oceania expansion. Some bonus cards there only allow you to count wild nests once. Therefore, you’ll need to count what you have.

Tip #12: Practice Against the Automaton

The solo mode for Wingspan, also known as the Automaton, isn’t just great for individual fun. It can be a great way to practice these Wingspan strategy tips, too. 

The Automaton is balanced well for different difficulty settings, so your score compared to its score will give you a good sense of how well you’re understanding the game. Think of it like competing against a computer player in virtual gameplay. 

And speaking of virtual gameplay, did you know you can play Wingspan online? It’s another great way to practice these Wingspan strategies. 

Time to Win Wingspan!

Make sure to bookmark this Wingspan strategy guide to help you win Wingspan again and again. Make sure to come back, too, once this Wingspan guide is updated for the Asia expansion. It will take some time to get the hang of all these Wingspan strategy tips. Fortunately, the learning curve is incredibly fun to overcome. 

While you’re at it, make sure to get a nice Wingspan organizer to help you store your game. The guide on the side of the box helps, but since you’re certain to play Wingspan more and more with these tips, you’ll want something that’s consistently easy to put away and organize. 

The post 12 Wingspan Strategy Tips for Your Best Game Every Time appeared first on Cats and Dice.

Fortunately, because of the high demand, there are plenty of ways to play tabletop RPGs online. And not just Dungeons and Dragons either (although it is included!). With a little bit of planning and the right tools, you may find you don’t even miss playing tabletop RPGs in person. Some people even – dare I say it? – prefer playing online!

It’s not difficult to learn how to play tabletop RPGs online, and it involves three steps. First, choose a tabletop RPG that does not require in-person play. Second, gather the online and offline tools you’ll need for the best gameplay. Finally, we’ll get into troubleshooting, evaluating those online tools, and keeping your gaming group up-to-date with the options.

#1 Choosing a Tabletop RPG for Online Play

Not all tabletop RPGs will translate well to an online space. Some, however, will play really well online! Before learning how to play tabletop RPGs online, make sure to choose an RPG that will play well online. It will save you a lot of hassle and heartache in the long run.

Materials

The materials directly involved in a tabletop RPG like dice, cards, and maps can create the biggest potential barrier to online play. That’s not to say that an RPG that requires unique materials can’t be played online, but it could require extra work on your end. (We’ll talk about this more in the “Gathering Tools” section.)

So, examine what materials are needed for the tabletop RPG you want to play online. If it only has a rulebook, you’re probably good to go. It will be easy to get a copy of the rules for everyone. One page tabletop RPGs often found on Itch.io like Honey Heist work really well in an online space for this exact reason.

If the RPG you want to play does have more materials, think about how they can be replicated, reimagined, or removed in an online space. Cards, miniatures, and tokens all can be used with tools like Roll20, Discord, Astral, or Tabletop Simulator for example. Alternatively, if you want to continue to use your physical items, you might consider an extra camera and/or monitor to facilitate that. (Visit the “Gathering Tools” section for more.)

Pretty much every tabletop RPG will need dice, but there are plenty of virtual dice rollers out there for players to use. Some of the best dice roller apps to play tabletop RPGs online (like Dungeons and Dragons) include:

• Wizards of the Coast Dice Roller
• ROLZ
• Google
• Alexa or Siri as a voice command

You can use physical dice at home. Dice don’t need to be converted to an online space as long as your game master is fine with that. If they do want to see the rolls, though, the online tools mentioned before – Roll20, Discord, or Tabletop Simulator – all have dice options within those platforms, too. 

Rulesets

Now, as mentioned before, it’s easy to get and use rulesets to play tabletop RPGs online. You will still want to think about a few things with your rulesets, though. 

First, you need to get a legal copy of the ruleset, either in digital format or as a physical copy. Websites like DriveThru RPG, DM’s Guild, D&D Beyond, and Itch.io make it easy to get legal digital copies of rulesets. Some creators sell physical copies of their tabletop RPGs through these sites, too. Many physical copies of RPGs are available through Amazon or your friendly local game store, too. 

Do not assume that because you could Google a ruleset and find it for free that it is legal! For example, there are bootleg PDFs of the full Player’s Handbook for Dungeons and Dragons, but none are legal. However, anyone can use the Basic Rules for free. 

You want to consider all of this. Different players will have different resources at their disposal. While a digital ruleset generally comes with a lower cost, some players may not have the technology to support a digital rulebook while also using video tools to play the game. 

Next, remember that easier rules or rules you already know will work better in online play. Some players will use online tools for the first time, so learning a new ruleset along with new technology can add unnecessary stress. You’ll have more fun starting off playing a tabletop RPG online that you already know or one designed for an online space, like Alice is Missing. 

Finally, if you don’t know what tabletop RPG to play online or need help with the how to (which we’ll cover more in the next section), check out tabletop RPG streamers. Twitch.tv is a treasure trove of tabletop RPGs for online play. Plus, most tabletop streamers do not play in the same physical space. Watch them live, or replays on YouTube, for ideas for how to play tabletop RPGs online. 

#2 Gathering Tools to Play Tabletop RPGs Online

This is where you’ll see why the right tabletop RPG will really help as you transition to an online space. You can absolutely play tabletop RPGs online with just a computer and a ruleset, but some tools will make your gameplay experience a lot better. 

Physical Tools

Physical tools will go a long way towards enhancing your online tabletop RPG experience. Streamers run into a lot of audio issues, either hearing others or being heard. A good headset and/or microphone does not have to cost a lot, but can save you a lot of trouble. 

Next, if playing by video, some tools will give you a much better experience. You can play tabletop RPGs online with just audio, or even text-based games, but may people prefer to play with video tools as well. A bendable laptop stand will help angle your camera for better video quality, for example. 

Some players even prefer to get a second monitor to connect to their computer. That way, you can go between the rules, a character sheet, dice, and the video tool of choice without needing to constantly switch tabs. Game runners may even want an extra camera for streaming, especially if you want to use your physical game items like maps and miniatures rather than using online ones. 

Tabletop RPGs often take hours to play, too. Playing in person means you often stand up or move about in the excitement of play, giving your legs a chance to stretch. This doesn’t happen as often in an online space. After all, if you stand up, you move away from the action! A good gaming chair will make it much easier to sit for hours on end and keep you involved in the storyline. 

Online Tools

We talked about online tools a little bit earlier on when choosing a tabletop RPG to play. Let’s dig into it a little more now since they can really change how you play tabletop RPGs online. 

Many gamers use Discord because it offers pretty much everything you need in one space for free. Discord has video, audio, and text tools to play tabletop RPGs online. Plus, you can add lots of bots to your server to help with play through dice rolls and music to enhance gameplay. Plus, Discord is not hard to use, but it can take a little getting used to. The video below gives a quick guide on how to use Discord as a player with more options if you want to create your own channel.

Roll20 is another popular choice for playing tabletop RPGs online. Roll20 has all the options that Discord has with two extra benefits. 

First, Roll20 has a comprehensive map tool for Game Masters to use for battlemaps. 

Second, it has an easy way to find games and players to play with. (Discord can have this if you find the right channel, but it’s not as streamlined.) 

Roll20 has a greater learning curve, though. They do have a tutorial built into the system, but it’s generally not as user-friendly as Discord. It’s worth noting, though, that many people use both Discord and Roll20 at the same time.

Tabletop Simulator is another option with very obvious pros and a few cons. For the big pro, Tabletop Simulator does the best job of simulating a physical tabletop space (hence the name). You can place maps, minis, and dice on a “table” that everyone can see and move. The downside? This tool does not have a free option. However, it does not cost a lot and for players who want a game with a lot of components, this can make a big difference.

Finally, if you want to play a tabletop RPG that doesn’t call for any bells and whistles, any video chat tool will work. Zoom has become the platform of choice for personal and professional use everywhere because it’s so easy to use. Plus, the screen sharing option will allow you to use it with other tools, too. 

Game-Specific Tools

As a final note for gathering materials to play tabletop RPGs online, don’t forget the materials mentioned when choosing your RPG! If you decided that your RPG of choice needed cards, dice, tokens, or anything else, you will want to choose an online space with these tools in mind. That’s why you’ll want to choose the game first. You will know what you need before trying to decide which gaming platform is right for you.

#3 Getting Into and Continuing Gameplay

Alright, you have your RPG, and you have your tools for play. Now what? Now it’s time to get playing! This step will require some learning and changing things up as you go along. Fortunately, you can do that as you play the games, so you will have fun, too.

Take a little bit of time first to learn how to use whatever online platform you chose if you don’t already know it. If all players have used a platform before, discuss how you’ll use it together. For example, if everyone has used Discord before, will everyone also roll dice with a dice bot? Also decide on things like if you’ll use video or just audio before you begin to play.

Play a one shot of your chosen ruleset to help everyone get more comfortable with the rules and with online gameplay, too. No one will worry too much about the lasting consequences of their in-game choices while they learn how to play online. It will also help you test out if the online platform you chose works for you.

Once you get into a campaign, at the end of each session (at least at first), check in with players and how online tools worked for them. You can also do this at the beginning of a session, but that way you will have time between games to make adjustments. If players could not hear each other, for example, they will have time to get a good headset and/or microphone. You might even reconsider using video or audio if one gave players a hard time. 

Time to Play Tabletop RPGs Online!

You now have a handle on what it takes to play tabletop RPGs online. As you can see, you don’t need much to get started. Yet you may be missing the most important and obvious piece of all still: a gaming group. Fortunately, we have a guide for finding a tabletop RPG group, complete with a section for online play. 

Once you get going, make sure to check in here and let us know what tabletop RPGs and online tools you like playing with. It will help all of us play more games and have more fun. And that’s what it’s all about.

The post How to Play Tabletop RPGs Online (like Dungeons and Dragons) appeared first on Cats and Dice.

The value of a board game, just like anything else, depends on a lot of things. Understanding why a board game costs what it costs can help you appreciate a game more and choose better games. Keep reading to find out why board games are so expensive. Then, learn how you can save money on board games for you and your family.

Setting the Price of a Board Game

Many modern board games come with a lot of unique, individual parts and involve a lot of people to make them. That’s the short answer to the question, “Why are board games so expensive?” There’s more to it than that, though. The price of a board game often depends on how the unique pieces are made, how many components there are, how board games are designed and produced, and who publishes the game.

Parts of a Board Game

The first major cost of board games comes from the pieces in the game. Not all games are just a board and dice with some cards. Many of the most expensive board games on the market use miniatures as a core part of the game. 

Miniatures are small, customized pieces for board games and tabletop games. If a board game uses miniatures as part of the game, it’s likely that they’ll need more than just one or two. Each miniature goes through a custom design process, too. This takes a lot of materials and skilled workers. 

So why do board game publishers go through the effort? Because the demand for miniatures is high. Board gamers enjoy miniatures. Gamers feel they enhance the game, especially war games and RPGs with a high narrative element. Plus, people enjoy painting miniatures. 

Miniatures aren’t the only pieces that can cost a lot, though. Many modern board games contain unique, customized pieces of all kinds. These can include coins, maps, tiles, or even eggs!

It’s also worth noting that even if the cost of the components is not high itself, some board games need a good way to store lots of pieces. Replayability is very important in board games (which we’ll talk about more later), so if you lose too many pieces, this leads to one of two solutions. One, you won’t play the game much anymore, which means the publisher will likely lose you as a future customer. Or two, you’ll ask the publisher for new components, which will cost them more in the end. 

How Board Games are Made

The next major cost of a board game depends on how they are made. Most modern board games are developed by small publishers and indie design teams. The list below simplifies the process of publishing board games.

1. Create a board game.
2. Develop a nice prototype with professional art.
3. Contact a factory.
4. Launch your game on Kickstarter.
5. Manufacture your game.
6. Send games from the factory to the fulfillment center.
7. Fulfill your games.

While many hobbyists want a high-quality game, though, most published games only plan for a small publishing run. That means that publishers need to make the price on a game higher in order to not only pay every part of the production team but to turn a profit, too. A game that sells 2,000 copies versus 20,000 copies will have a very different profit margin if it only costs $15. 

Small vs. Big Board Game Publishers

This is a key part of why mass-market board games from companies like Hasbro cost less. They’re intended for a wider audience, require less teamwork to produce, and are sold by companies that have a greater manufacturing power.

Small publishers, on the other hand, have to hire out the work for most steps of the creation process. Then, the more you publish, the better “deal” you can get from manufacturers for publishing in “bulk.” But if you can’t sell a large production run, then it’s not ultimately cost effective. That means the price goes up for the consumer. 

The age of the publisher matters, too. More established board game publishers may have an easier time keeping costs down because they’ve established a profit stream from their earlier games. Ticket to Ride is a good example of this. Days of Wonder has been able to capitalize on their hit game by creating lots of expansions that cost slightly less due to less components. They also have created digital versions of their games that might turn a better profit because their material costs are different. 

Newer publishers, however, don’t have that benefit. That’s part of why so many board games available on Kickstarter are by newer publishers or designers. Kickstarter connects new publishers with their audience and get their project off the ground. This works by audience members essentially “pre-ordering” a game to help the publisher get it made and cover the startup costs. It’s not a fool-proof system. A project needs to be backed completely for it to work, and then they can have unanticipated problems along the way. But when it does work, a great new board game enters the world. 

Getting Your Board Games

Another reason why board games are so expensive is the shipping cost. Board games are heavy, and many shipments are by weight. Even if you buy a board game in a store, they still ship to the store. This is why you might think you find a good board game deal online just to realize that shipping brings the price back up to market price.

Many board gamers also view their games as a collection and want them kept in good condition. Hobbyists go to great lengths to keep games stored well. That means that most board game publishers try to take extra care with their shipping, even if it means increasing the cost. 

Vintage Board Games

If you’re wondering why board games are so expensive, you probably aren’t asking about vintage board games, but they’re worth noting. If a board game is out of print, it will cost a lot more than one still in production. This cost will go up even more if it’s considered a collector’s item in some way. The original print run of Dune, for example, would certainly cost more than the Dune remake. Why?

• It was a popular game.
• A new version has come out, making people nostalgic.
• The original came out more than 40 years ago.

Not all vintage board games will cost more. Unpopular games and games in bad condition will generally cost less, even next to nothing. 

Are Board Games Worth the Price?

Now that you have a better sense of why board games cost what they cost, you might be wondering if they’re worth the price. Whether a board game is valuable enough to you is up to you, but there are certainly outside influences to consider. 

First, the cost of a board game doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Board game publishers put the time, effort, and money into making board games because there is a demande for them. People want to play these games because they are fun, interesting, beautiful, and a great way to spend time with others. 

Second, reviews from trusted gamers can go a long way. Some board games come with expensive components and the designers and publishers alike took a great amount of time and care into making the game. But if the players decide that the game isn’t that fun, then it’s not worth it. If a game gives a lot of fun and joy, though, then cost doesn’t mean that much. 

Entertainment Costs

Think about it this way: how much money per hour are you willing to spend on entertainment? Many people will go see a movie at a movie theater that will cost $15 per person for a two-hour movie. That’s $7.50 per hour of entertainment. If you play a board game that costs $50 that plays for an hour 10 times, though, then that’s $5 per hour of entertainment. (And more often than not, the more expensive the game, the more playtime goes into a single playthrough.) Here are some other entertainment cost comparisons to think about.

Board games aren’t so expensive when you think of it like that. And that’s a conservative estimate. Really, there are lots of ways to get more for your dollar when it comes to board games.

What are Some of the Most Expensive Board Games?

I can’t say I recommend buying a board game just because it’s amazingly expensive. I also don’t think you should avoid a game just because of its cost, especially if it’s something you think you’d really like. But I’ll admit, I became a bit curious as to which board games were particularly expensive. So, I thought you might be wondering, too. 

So first, I’m not generally talking about novelty, intentionally expensive versions of classics. It is easier to see why board games like these are so expensive. 

Instead, what are some of the most expensive modern board games that players regularly buy? Here are a few and their average cost on Amazon. 

• On Mars averages $128
• Gloomhaven averages $115
• Twilight Imperium averages $115
• Root averages $100
• Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition) averages $85
• A Feast for Odin averages $82
• Star Wars: Imperial Assault averages $73
• Arcadia Quest averages $69
• Scythe averages $67

This list does not include expansions to any of these games (although most of them do have at least one expansion). It also does not include games like Magic: the Gathering or Dungeons and Dragons, which have cards, books, dice, and other components. While the cost for a single item may be less (or more), buying all the items you’d want to really get into these games can get quite expensive. 

How Can I Save Money on Board Games?

Now that you see board games aren’t as expensive as you once thought, it’s still worth noting that there are great ways to save on board games like:

• Sharing games with friends
• Using deal trackers
• Shopping at thrift stores
• Play at a board game café

Also remember that games have a long shelf life. I have board games from 20+ years ago that I still play today because I kept them in good condition. So board games, in a way, are like an investment into your entertainment. 

Finally, not all board games are so expensive! Many great modern board games do not cost a lot. Some great games cost $10 or less. Saving money on games is largely about mindset and deciding whether or not a board game is expensive to you. 

What are the most expensive board games you know? How do you find great deals on expensive board games? Share in the comments!

The post Why are Board Games so Expensive? (And How You Can Save Money on Them) appeared first on Cats and Dice.

Reading a D&D character sheet can feel like a lot, and that’s true at first. Soon, though, you will see how everything connects and you’ll find a flow to it. Make sure you have the materials outlined in the next section. Then, get ready for this complete guide to reading a D&D character sheet.

What You Need to Read a D&D Character Sheet

Great news! You can learn to read a D&D character sheet for $0. Wizards of the Coast, the company that owns and publishes Dungeons and Dragons, has great free resources for you. Other websites offer free and low-cost tools to help you play, too. 

First, let’s start off with the character sheet itself. For this guide, we will use one of the character sheets from the D&D Starter Set. (If you want to invest a little into your gameplay, this really gets you a good bang for your buck. I highly recommend it.) For the purpose of reading this now, go ahead and find the Wizard character sheet on Page 7 of their free document.

You can print this out if you’d like or view it on your device. 

Next, let’s get a ruleset going. One other D&D investment I strongly recommend is a copy of the Player’s Handbook. It’s probably the most important $30 you will ever spend for D&D. The Basic Rules will give you what you need to start out (and to read this post), but you’ll want the Player’s Handbook after more than one or two games. Again, if you don’t have it, download the Basic Rules now. You can find a blank character sheet on Page 177 of this PDF if you’d like to view that, too

As a quick note, if you have some experience with reading a D&D character sheet and it doesn’t look like the one above, it might come from a different source. Lots of community creators have made beautiful and unique D&D character sheets. Or, you might have seen a printout from D&D Beyond, a popular and easy-to-use character creation tool. For now, let’s stick to an official sheet for continuity. 

If you printed out the character sheet and/or rules, you might also want a pencil as we go through this sheet to make notes. It’s totally up to you!

Throughout this guide, some words are bolded. These are D&D terms that can be found in the index of the Player’s Handbook to easily learn more about them.

Sections for Reading a D&D Character Sheet

Let’s explain the sections of a D&D character sheet before we go in-depth. You will see seven basic parts of a character sheet.

1. Basic information at the top.
2. Ability Scores on the left.
3. Combat information in the center.
4. Features and Traits on the right.
5. Proficiencies, Languages, and Equipment at the bottom.
6. Backstory information on Page 2.
7. Spells on Page 3.

The free PDF of the Starter Set characters does not include the spell sheet, so you will either want to look to the rules for that or have a copy of the Starter Set with you.

With that, let’s check out each of these parts of the character sheet. They are ordered approximately by how important they are and how often you will use them.

Your Character’s Elevator Pitch

The information you fill in at the top – your name, class, race, and so on – may seem like the most straightforward information when reading a D&D character sheet. Players often agonize over it, though. Why? Because it sets the stage for the rest of your character.

Many players and Dungeon Masters, or DMs, create character names using the Fantasy Name Generator. If you have one locked and loaded, that works, too. Your level and experience points are also easy; your DM will tell you what they are. And hopefully you have your own player name covered!

As for class and race options, this is where you need to pull out the Player’s Handbook or the Basic Rules. Even though the rules present race choices first, many seasoned players will choose a class first and then choose a race to help them maximize their class. As a new player, you’ll likely have the most fun by simply choosing what speaks to you. 

Information on background choices are also available in the rules. Just like your character’s race, your background will help give flavor to your roleplay during the game. It will also give you extra skills beyond your class.

Finally, your alignment helps with making choices as your character. Are they good, evil, or do they decide in the moment? Do they follow the law or a strict moral code, or do they make choices based on their love of chaos? This will help you make choices in game.

Building a character is a whole article for another time, but the ruleset will give you a lot of information. A seasoned DM can help, too. 

Although this article is not about building your character, the information in this section determines all the other information on your sheet, so you will want to understand your character. 

Let’s see how this works on the Starter Set premade Wizard character. Notice this wizard does not have a name, but you do see their class, level, race, background, and alignment. We’ll see how some of this information comes into play later. 

Let’s Talk Ability Scores

Most of your focus during gameplay will go to this part of your D&D character sheet. All of your rolls outside of combat will use numbers found over here, so let’s talk about how to read it. 

First, you have the six main ability scores and what they generally show about your character.

• Strength: how easily your character can lift or push heavy things.
• Dexterity: how quickly or deftly your character can move.
• Constitution: your character’s ability to fight off poison, disease, or other ailments within the body.
• Intelligence: the level of booksmarts your character has, or what kind of information your character has learned.
• Wisdom: your character’s street smarts, or how easily they can intuit information.
• Charisma: the strength of your character’s personality.

There are two numbers in these boxes. The higher value number without a plus or minus sign is your overall score. You don’t really need to look at that number when playing. That’s why it’s often in the smaller bubble. It exists to decide the second number

Instead, look at the number with the plus or minus sign. That’s your modifier. You will add this number to your rolls when your DM tells you to. The bigger the modifier, the better you are at that skill. 

For example, you can see in the character example at the side that this wizard has an Intelligence of 16, giving them a +3 modifier. They are considered a smart character. Their Charisma is only 8, though, giving them a -1 to their modifier. There’s a chart in the Player’s Handbook that explains the math at play here.

Subskills 

All the numbers to the right of these are decided by the main modifiers. They are what I like to call subskills, based on these six main skills. An official character sheet will share in parentheses which skills are based on which. Persuasion, for example, is based on Charisma noted by the (Cha) next to the skill. 

Saving Throws

Above that, you will see a section called Saving Throws. Like the subskills, these will match your modifiers on the left-hand side unless you are proficient in any of them. Then, you will add your proficiency bonus.

Other Modifiers

Then, there’s two spaces above all the modifiers. The Proficiency Bonus is determined by your character’s level. At level 1, you have a Proficiency Bonus of +2. Inspiration, on the other hand, is something earned in game by a Bard or the DM. It doesn’t come up often, so make sure to ask your DM when it does.

Down here, you also see something called “Passive Wisdom (Perception).” Some other character sheets might also include Insight and Investigation as passive scores. These are more or less for your DM. They are a way to help your DM determine if you would be able to notice something without asking you to roll for it. This can allow players to stay in the story more and think of the game less as a game. 

So, for the Wizard character sheet, you can see the modifiers in the example to the right. Take note of the smaller modifiers and how some of the bubbles are filled in. These are the subskills this character is proficient in. This character gets to add their proficiency bonus to these rolls. The character sheet has already added that into the number. Religion, for example, is +5 because the character has a +3 in Intelligence. Then, they add a +2 for proficiency. 

Wanna Fight About It?

Next, we have the second most important section when reading a D&D character sheet, which focuses on combat. At the top, you’ll see three smaller boxes for Armor Class (AC), Initiative, and Speed or movement. 

Your AC determines how hard you are to hit. The faster you are (decided through Dexterity) or the more armor you have on, the higher your AC will be. 

Your initiative decides when your turn is during combat. It matches your Dexterity modifier. Like other modifiers, you will add this number to a dice roll when it’s time to enter combat. 

Your speed decides how far you can move in a turn during combat. How combat works is yet another article.

Below that are your Hit Points, or HP. Every time you get hit, you will lose some of these. The Hit Point Maximum at the top will remind you of all the hit points you are capable of, no matter how many you lose. If your current HP ever gets to 0, your character is unconscious and could die. Temporary Hit Points are added with the help of different spells and effects. Your DM or another player will let you know when to add a number here. 

Now, let’s get to healing and dying. In this left box, you will see the Hit Dice. Hit Dice let you restore some of your HP when taking a short rest in the game ( about an hour in-game). When you rest, you will have Hit Dice equal to your character’s level, so a level 1 character has one, while a level 12 character has 12 to use. The type of die is determined by your class. You regain these after a full rest, or a good night’s sleep.

You can see on the Wizard here that they have 1d6 for their Hit Dice. That means they can roll 1d6 during a short rest to regain that many hit points, up to 8. So if the Wizard were down to 2 HP and rolled a 4 on a d6, they would be back up to 6 HP.

As for death saving throws, we all hope we will never have to make these. But adventuring is dangerous, and it’s likely you will. When your character reaches 0 hit points, at the beginning of your turn, you will instead make a Death Save with a d20. They work like this:

• Roll a 10 or above and you succeed once. 
• Roll a 9 or below and you fail once. 
• If you roll a 1 and you automatically fail twice. 
• If you roll a 20 and you automatically regain 1 HP.

After succeeding three times while unconscious, you become stable. But if you roll three failures while unconscious, your character has permanently died (aside from powerful magic). 

Attacks & Spellcasting

For something more exciting, the Attacks & Spellcasting section helps you to kill some bad guys before they kill you. The weapon you have and the spells you can cast (more on both these later) will decide what you can use to fight and how much damage it will do. The modifier for your character’s weapon will either come from Strength or Dexterity and often will add the Proficiency Bonus.

The Wizard’s shortsword, for example, has a +4 modifier to the attack and gives 1d6+2 damage on a hit. The damage is always the same for that weapon. The modifier for this weapon comes from the Wizard’s Dexterity modifier plus their Proficiency Bonus.

As for the spells, keep reading for “It’s All So Magical” below. Spellcasting works similarly to weapon attacks, which is why it’s noted here. The exact numbers you need, though, are on a different page.

So a standard turn will look something like this while reading a D&D character sheet:

• You roll for Initiative and roll higher than what you’re fighting, so you get to go first.
•  On your turn, you move your movement to get within melee of the creature (next to it) to fight it. You use your weapon, and with the Attack Bonus modifier, you hit because the number is higher than the creature’s Armor Class. You then roll the damage for that weapon to find out how much HP the creature loses. 
• On the creature’s turn, it rolls to attack you as well. It rolls higher than your AC, so it hits you. You lose 2 HP, so you mark that on your sheet. 

A combat turn can look very different. This is just a short example to show you how you would use your character sheet in combat. 

Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better

If you’ve made it this far, you have the vast majority of what you need for reading a D&D character sheet explained. The Features and Traits section is an important addition, though. Here, you will find extra abilities your character has thanks to their class and race. 

What kinds of things will you find here? Generally speaking, take a look at this section if your DM asks you about:

• Bonus Actions (during combat)
• Darkvision
• Feats 
• Class-specific languages

Basically, if you want to see if your character is extra capable in a particular skill due to their class, race, size, or background in ways others might not be, check here. You can see that the character sheet provided by Wizards of the Coast is very comprehensive, making it a great place to start. 

If you’re looking for something that’s not here that you think should be, check out the “Other Proficiencies and Languages” on the bottom left. Here, you’ll find languages you know, weapons and armor you can easily use, and other tools you know how to use. 

The main difference between this box versus the “Features and Traits” is that these don’t require full-sentence explanations. Instead, it will be things you can simply list.

I Love Your Chainmail!

In the bottom center of a standard character sheet, you’ll see your Equipment section. This is mostly used to see how much money you have on hand, denoted by copper, silver, gold, and platinum. (Electrum is there, too, but it’s kind of the equivalent of a $2 bill. It’s so rarely used, it’s almost not worth having.)

Each section is noted by the initials of the metal, starting with copper as “CP” for “copper piece.” The wizard here starts out with 5 gold pieces, or GP. How much money your character starts with is largely determined by their backstory. A noble, for example, would have much more money than a hermit.

Otherwise, here you’ll find other equipment you are wearing. This is different from other objects and treasure you have, which goes in the “Treasure” section of page two.

This distinction is important for several reasons:

• Armor only helps you AC in combat if you are wearing it.
• Magic items work only if you are attuned to them. (The item description will tell you if you need attunement. The rules will tell you what that means.)
• You can only attack with equipped weapons.

Oftentimes, you will also find adventuring equipment here, things like tinder boxes and bedrolls. This mostly matters for carrying weight. That means that your character can only carry so much before they become encumbered in both fighting and travel. Different DMs handle weight differently, so speak to yours about what information needs to go here. 

What About My Tragic Backstory?

Now, some new players have a bit of difficulty coming up with a backstory or maybe even understanding its purpose. Most backstory information (different from background) goes on page two, especially in the “Character Backstory” section. However, the section in the top right of the first page of your sheet will help you determine and/or remember your backstory. 

These traits won’t necessarily come up as specific calls to action, but they will help you decide what choices your character would make in the moment. So if your character, for example, values honesty and honor above all else, they’re not likely to try to lie to a character in most situations. 

In other words, you can use this section to help narrow down choices for your character. This helps if you feel overwhelmed with options, or if you want your character to offer something unique from the rest of the party. 

There are generators that will help you come up with personality traits for your character and flesh out your backstory. Many DMs also offer a Session 0 for character creation. There, you can discuss different backstory options to answer questions like where you’re from and who you might already know in the game. 

It’s All So Magical

If you decide not to play a spellcaster, like a Barbarian, you’re pretty much done! Most players, however, will play a spellcaster at least once. So, you need to know how to read the spellcasting section of a character sheet. Often found on Page 3, this page is very customizable depending on your class. 

Let’s start at the top. First, you’ll put in your class simply as a reminder. (Once you get to Level 3 or higher, you might add your subclass, too.) Next, you’ll add your spellcasting ability, which is the skill set your class uses to cast spells. Then, you’ll add your spell save DC, which is the number your opponent needs to roll above if they want to resist the effects of one of your spells. Finally, you add your spell attack bonus, which works like a weapon bonus only for spells. The class section of the rules will tell you how to fill all this in. 

Now, which spells you have available to you and where to put them depends on your class, but every class will read this sheet in the same way. 

Each spell has a level noted next to the spell in the rules. When you “equip” a spell, you will list it under that level. Cantrips are considered “level 0” spells and will go there. Many classes will list all the spells available to them, but not every spell is available every day. To make a spell available in a game day, you will check the bubble next to it for preparing spells. To make this even easier to follow and build out, you might want to invest in some spellbook cards for your character’s class.

As you play, you will need to mark each level spell with how many spell slots you have for that level, determined by your class and character level. Every time you use a spell then, you need to note that you used a spell slot and mark which level you used it at. This resets after a long rest. 

The higher your level, the more this will fill out. At level 1, you will only have the Cantrips and level 1 section filled out at most, which will help you ease into things. 

Build a D&D Character Sheet or “Buy” One?

This is a lot of information to take in, especially if you’re a new player. Don’t fear! No one expects you to remember all this right away, or even after a long time. Seasoned players constantly revisit their character sheet and what each part means. So this leads itself to another question, then. Do you want to build out a character yourself with Chapter 1 of the Player’s Handbook, or do you simply want to use a premade one?

There are pros and cons to each. Building your character sheet out yourself gives you a comprehensive understanding of your character and their skills. However, it can take time. The Player’s Handbook helps a lot, but a premade character takes less time and allows you to focus on other rules. You won’t be as familiar with your character, though. 

Some DMs want their players to build characters a certain way. They might use the standard rules in Chapter 1 of the Player’s Handbook by rolling for ability scores. Or, they might use the standard array or point buy methods. Make sure to ask your DM if they have a preference.

As a personal recommendation if your DM has no preference, I suggest that new players start with the D&D Beyond quick build function. Or, use an official character by Wizards of the Coast like the one used in the examples above. 

Use the quick build if you have a sense of what class, race, and background you want to play. Or, choose a completely pre-made character if you have no sense of that at all and want to just try the game out. 

In other words, if you don’t have a strong feeling about the character you play, there’s no reason to add that on to yourself. Just focus on getting the basics down in the meantime. 

The End is the Beginning

If you made it to the end, congratulations! You now have what you need to know about reading a D&D character sheet explained. Make sure to bookmark this page to come back and reference it as needed because we all could use a reminder. 

Once you have your character, you will also want to bookmark the relevant pages in the rules for that character and/or note the pages needed on your character sheet. You can do this according to the ruleset you have. So if you’re using the Player’s Handbook, you might list (PHB p. “X”) next to each spell you have listed to remind you where the spell is and how it works, for example. Everything on your character sheet is intended to help you play the game better. So, go play!

And for the more auditory learners, here’s a loaded but hilarious video explaining it all from the great Crap Guide to D&D. 

What questions do you want explained about reading a D&D character sheet or creating a D&D character?

The post Reading a D&D Character Sheet Explained: The Complete Guide appeared first on Cats and Dice.